Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt: We Won't Take Over

Representatives of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt said they do not want to take over but merely want to be a part of government, CNN reported Wednesday.

"The Muslim Brotherhood is not seeking power," an official said at a news conference. "We will not have a presidential candidate, we want to participate and help, we are not seeking power," according to the report.

In a move intended to distance the movement from allegations that it is an extremist group, former head of the Muslim Brotherhood's parliamentary bloc, Mohammed Katatny, said: "We reject the religious state."

"We are not responsible for the speeches and statements of external forces." Katatny added, "The regime has been using the Muslim Brotherhood scarecrow to tell the world that the regime is the only one who can safeguard the country, but this is wrong and it is their way to try to ignore the people's demands," CNN reported.

Last week, the Brotherhood participated, along side other opposition groups, in official talks with Egyptian Vice President Omar Suleiman as part of a national dialogue.

Despite warnings sounded from various world leaders, including the current Egyptian leadership, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton tentatively welcomed the group's participation in the negotiations over Egypt's future.

Representatives of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt said they do not want to take over but merely want to be a part of government, CNN reported Wednesday.
The Muslim Brotherhood is not seeking power, an official said at a news conference. We will not have a presidential...